This article announces the adoption of harmonised minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners and refrigerators in the 16 member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also explains the process by which these harmonised standards were developed and adopted.
This article explores how the Central American Integration System (SICA) has helped lead the way to improve energy efficiency in appliances at the regional level, and the opportunities that further harmonisation could generate.
This brief explains the importance and benefits of an internationally harmonized quality assurance framework for small scale solar photovoltaic (pico-PV) products. Benefits are outlined for specific stakeholder groups, and a summary of the Lighting Global Quality Assurance (QA) Framework is provided for reference.
This brief explains the role of product testing in standard-setting for off-grid solar products. It provides recommendations based on good practices and explains how the Lighting Global Quality Assurance Program can help governments implement and enforce standards.
This policy brief provides guidance on the importance of quality standards for stand-alone solar products; how to develop and adopt standards, and the current status in Africa; common challenges encountered in this process; and market surveillance; as well as recommendations for governments.
This guide by the Covenant of Mayors of Sub-Saharan Africa shows that urban planning tends to be gender blind, with the design of urban street lighting as a key example. It provides a manual, aimed at African cities, on how to develop gender-responsive public lighting projects. English: https://comssa.org/download/rxeWs6zcOXbTl8qRidGZ9nCB7EFAI4Pa/Gender-sensitive-public-lighting.pdf French: https://comssa.org/download/U3kjdTBHqV6FGKfoI71EgLY2wZrSvtz8/Eclairage-public-sensible-au-genre.pdf
This website contains a range of learning resources on Integrated Resource Planning (a methodology for least-cost planning by public utilities), including load forecasting, tariff policies, amd demand side management. It also includes exercises and case studies.
This slide deck provides a quick overview of the required steps in developing a concept for a renewable energy project.
This slide deck provides a quick overview of tips to enhance the chance of success of grant proposals for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
This report considers the challenges faced by developers implementing renewable energy projects in the SADC region, analyzes existing prefeasibility or early-stage project preparation funds in the region and globally to assess if they effectively support project developers, and provides recommendations on how to improve and scale up these facilities.